Myripristis murdjan
White-edge soldierfish, Myripristis murdjan, is a species of soldierfish found in the Indo-Pacific. It is found at depths of 3–40 metres and inhabits sheltered coastal and offshore coral reefs, typically in turbid areas of bays or lagoons. During the day, it hides in caves or beneath ledges, while at night, it feeds on plankton. It can be found in loose aggregations, sometimes with other species of soldierfish.
Like all Myripristis it has a tall shape, very large eyes and a wide mouth with oblique insertion. The scales are large. The jaw in adults is slightly protruding. The color of the body is basically red, often bright red but can also be dark red or pink depending on the environmental characteristics. The edge of the scales is darker red-brown than the body. On the edge of the gill operculum there is a subvertical black or dark brown bar located at eye level; a dark spot is present in the axil of the pectoral fins. The spiny part of the dorsal fin is light red in the basal two-thirds and bright red at the tip. The outer edges of the soft part of the dorsal, caudal fin and anal fin are white, the fins themselves have bright red tips.
It exceptionally reaches 60 cm in length and is one of the largest Holocentridae. The dimensions commonly do not exceed 18 cm. It is nocturnal like all Holocentridae and spends the day hours gathered in small groups among the crevices of coral or in caves. Its diet is based on planktonic crustaceans, worms, Tunicates, Polychaetes and other small invertebrates. It is oviparous and both the eggs and the larvae are pelagic. This species is fished at an artisanal level throughout its range but does not have great food value. It has marginal importance in the aquarium fish market. Its consumption has caused cases of ciguatera.
Myripristis murdjan is common or abundant in its range and is subject to very low fishing pressure. No other threats are known. The IUCN red list classifies it as “least concern”.
(extract from Wikipedia)
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